Traveling with young children comes with specific needs, and the Baby Care Centers located within all four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks help give parents of little ones peace of mind. Whether a family has a nursing infant, a potty training preschooler, or both, the centers provide a respite just for them. As a mom of three, I love that there are toys, books and movies to entertain my preschoolers while I change and feed the little one.

Check out this video for a Disney Parks Moms Panelist’s point of view on how the Baby Care Centers have been a go-to resource during her family’s visits.

Does your family use the Baby Care Centers when you come to Walt Disney World Resort?

How old was your “baby” when you first heard, “Mom, I’m not a kid anymore!” Chances are, if you have a teen or tween, this line is one you’ve heard a time or two. We know that your “little ones” may not be so little anymore, which is why we’re focused on making a Disney cruise a super cool experience for everyone in your family – even for those who may seem harder to impress these days!

Dolly from the Disney Parks Moms Panel has both a teen and tween, so she can certainly relate to parents of 11- to 17-year-olds. In the video I’m sharing today, host Danielle Bellini chats with Dolly and her kids about sailing with teens and tweens. Want a glimpse at what cruising with us will be like for your family’s Mr. or Miss Independent? Check it out!

What do your teens and tweens say about their last Disney cruise vacation?

For more about cruising with Disney from a mom’s point of view, visit these posts:

It may only be September, but I know all of you creative gift-givers are already scheming up some pretty wonderful holiday present ideas for your loved ones. A Disney cruise is always a popular gift, and I’ve heard stories from so many people about the special ways they’ve unwrapped this present for their family.

Whether you’re brainstorming ideas for Christmas morning, or for when you give the gift “just because,” I thought you may be inspired by how some of our current and former Disney Parks Moms Panelists have surprised their families with a Disney cruise …

Nancy W.
“Once we surprised our kids with a scavenger hunt on Christmas morning with clues placed all around the house. Each clue was wrapped in a package with items needed for our vacation like bathing suits, sunglasses and even pirate costumes! With every clue found, the kids grew closer to the final package which was waiting for them on the front porch. When they opened it, they found “tickets” for a magical voyage on the high seas with Captain Mickey and a Disney Cruise Line Planning DVD!”

Diane W.
“One Christmas morning, after we exchanged gifts and ate breakfast, I suddenly “remembered” another present that we’d “forgotten.” I told the girls to look on the back porch, and when they opened the door, there were two suitcases with big Mickeys hand sewn on the front, mouse ears and giant Mickey and Minnie plush to greet them. I think my neighbors two blocks away could hear them screaming. “We’re going to Disney!” What they didn’t know (until they opened the suitcases) was that we were going on a Disney cruise! The suitcases were packed with new swimsuits, outfits and pillowcases monogrammed with our sail dates and the name of the ship.”

Marcy G.
“We wanted to announce our surprise Disney Cruise Line vacation to the kids in a unique way, so we sent them on a scavenger hunt throughout the house and yard for clues. Each clue they found related to the trip, such as “Do you like warm weather?” and “Did you SEA that your bags are packed?”. The final clues were our itinerary for our Disney Magic cruise and their Magic Bands for our stay at Walt Disney World Resort. They couldn’t stop screaming to know we were leaving right then for a land and sea vacation with Captain Mickey!”

Have you ever given the gift of a Disney cruise? Tell us how you did it in the comments!

Even though you’ve heard there is something for everyone on a Disney cruise, do you still wonder if that truly means for you, too? Of course you know your kids will love it, but as parents, will you enjoy it?

You know my answer is “absolutely!” But we also caught back up with Disney Parks Moms PanelistDolly to get her take on this frequently asked question. Hear what she has to say in this video…

What’s your favorite way to recharge on a Disney cruise?

For more about cruising with Disney from a mom’s point of view, visit these posts:

UPDATE: We are no longer accepting applications for the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I want to thank everyone who applied and shared their passion for Disney Parks. Be sure to check back right here on the Disney Parks Blog for future updates on the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

In my many years with Disney Parks, I’ve been fortunate to work on many amazing projects. One project near and dear to my heart will always be the creation and launch of the Walt Disney World Moms Panel in 2008.

The panel, made up of everyday moms and dads from around the globe, have answered hundreds of thousands of questions over the years – covering just about every Disney vacation topic imaginable. Their knowledge of Disney Parks and their passion to help our guests shines in their answers. In fact, you’ve met quite a few of them here on the Disney Parks Blog.

The panel became so popular that several years ago it was expanded to include other Disney Parks vacation experiences. The name was officially changed to the Disney Parks Moms Panel.

September has traditionally been a special month for the Disney Parks Moms Panel. It’s when we search for new panelists to join the team for the next calendar year. It’s a rigorous and thorough process, consisting of multiple rounds, that determines who will be selected to represent the panel and answer vacation questions from guests around the globe.

Thousands will apply for a small number of spots on the panel. But please, don’t let that be a deterrent. The most recent panelists to join the team include several who have applied every year, a few who applied for the very first time, and those in between. Dreams really can come true.

This year, applications will open at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, September 2, 2014, and will remain open until noon ET on Friday, September 5, 2014.

If you know a mom, dad or grandparent who is your “go-to” person for advice about a Disney Parks vacation and loves to help others plan their trips, encourage them to apply for the Disney Parks Moms Panel. (Be sure to check the rules and regulations on the application to insure eligibility.)

Recently we shared with you a mom’s take on cruising with us, hearing from one of our Disney Parks Moms Panelists, Diane, about her family’s experiences over the years. Today, we’re hearing from another panelist, Dolly, whose family has joined us on voyages all around the world.

Like many of you, Dolly and her family’s love for vacationing with Disney started with visits to our parks and resorts, and now their love also includes sailing with us – what she calls “a different way to do Disney.” Take a look at this video to discover how a Disney cruise combines what you love most about Disney with the relaxation, comfort and convenience of a cruise vacation …

If you are thinking about cruising with us for the first time, you probably want to know more about what it will be like for your family. Who better to ask than another parent?

You may have heard about the Disney Parks Moms Panel, a super helpful resource for planning your Disney vacation, but did you know that there are three Disney Cruise Line specialists on the panel? These moms have sailed with us multiple times over the years and have so many good insights for families. We caught up with one of our panelists, Diane, to get her take on what a family can look forward to on a Disney cruise.

The re-imagined Disney Magic has made quite the splash since her relaunch! Last week, Marcy from the Disney Parks Moms Panel shared her favorite experiences, and this week, she lets us hear what others are saying about the ship’s transformation.

Check out this video featuring guests sailing onboard the Disney Magic for the very first time, and chime in with your own first impressions in the “Comments” section below!

Since our flagship vessel, the Disney Magic, set sail after one of the largest transformations in the cruise ship industry, her magical makeover continues to wow guests of all ages!

Marcy from the Disney Parks Moms Panel recently sailed to check out the enhancements for herself. For those of you who haven’t had the chance to do the same, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this video to see her top five can’t-miss experiences on this re-imagined ship!

If you have sailed on the re-imagined Disney Magic, which enhancement is number one for you?

What are some of the ways your family likes to have fun together? There’s a pretty high chance whatever you name is already offered on a Disney cruise. And the best part is that it’s all included!

Last week, I shared a video about date night on the high seas with ideas for how adults can spend their time while the kids are having fun in the youth clubs. But today, I want to bring it back to ways the entire family can have fun together.

In this video, Marcy from the Disney Parks Moms Panel gives you a glimpse of our family entertainment, like live stage shows, high-energy deck parties and of course, fireworks at sea. She couldn’t cover everything in such a short video, so check it out and let us know some of the other ways your family has fun onboard.

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